Introduction To Bluetooth Car Kits

By Author: Mike Smith
Total Articles: 103
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What is a Bluetooth car kit?

A Bluetooth car kit allows for drivers and passengers in cars to make and receive mobile phone calls without the need to hold the mobile phone up to their ear.

Bluetooth is the technology that allows the mobile phone and the car kit to recognize each other and wirelessly and securely transmit voice between the mobile phone and the car kit.

A driver with a mobile phone in his pocket can get in his vehicle that has a Bluetooth car kit, turn the engine on and then without doing anything further the driver is free to make and receive calls. The phone and car kit recognize each other without the need for the phone to leave the driver's pocket.

Why do drivers need a Bluetooth car kit?

In Australia, it is illegal & unsafe to touch your mobile phone whilst driving a vehicle. A Bluetooth car kit means that the driver can keep both hands on the wheel whilst having a conversation on their phone.

What options are there when it comes to using a mobile phone whilst driving?

Portable Stereo Headset (Free with Phone - $40)

Some mobile phones come packaged ...
... with a stereo headset that allows the mobile phone user to listen to music on their device as well as act as a portable hands free device.
Whilst this is the cheapest option, drivers need to be certain that they can make and receive calls without touching the mobile phone (i.e. via voice recognition) otherwise they risk breaking the law.

Bluetooth Headset ($50-$80)

Another option is the Bluetooth headset which is a wireless device that clips over the ear and wirelessly connects via Bluetooth to the driver's mobile phone.

The upside of the Bluetooth Headset and the Portable Stereo Headset is they can be used outside the vehicle whenever the mobile user wishes to use their phone hands free.
For both of these options to be legal, users must ensure that they have enabled voice recognition on their mobile phones (if supported) and recorded voice tags against the contacts in their phonebooks they wish to call when on the road.

Portable Bluetooth Car kit ($80 - $170)

Portable Bluetooth Car Kits clip onto the sun visor of any vehicle and wirelessly connect via Bluetooth to the driver's mobile phone which can remain in the driver's pocket or briefcase.

These kits are about the size of an adult hand and as a result of being bigger, have better functionality. Most good brands like Parrot & Blueant have technology built in, that makes conversations clear and easy for callers on both sides of the conversation. The units contain special algorithms which cancel background traffic noise, cancels out the echo that is prevalent in the cheaper & lesser known brands.

Another great feature that the Parrot Minikit Slim has is the Text to Speech(TTS) technology. This means that each time the driver's phone connects to the Minikit Slim, the phonebook automatically synchronizes so all the contacts on the driver's phone are also on the Minikit Slim. Then all the driver has to do to make a call is to press the green call button and say the name of the contact that she wishes to call and the Minikit Slim will automatically recognize the name in its phonebook and dial the number. No recording of voice tags necessary!

Installed Bluetooth Car kit Aftermarket ($300-$650)

Installed Bluetooth car kits are typically used by people who spend a lot of time in their vehicle and want a car kit that works seamlessly with their mobile phone. Installed car kits are installed by professional installers and integrate into all car stereos meaning that the kit uses the car stereo for surround sound.

The most advanced kit like the Parrot Mki9200 contain all the noise and echo cancellation technologies that the better portable kits have, Text to Speech (TTS) technology AND it has a full colour display to view contacts and select music from the driver's mobile device to be played through the car stereo.

Whilst this is the most expensive option, it is by far the most technologically advanced option. It definitely suits a driver who; spends a lot of time in their car, wants to maximize the features of their mobile phone by playing music through their car stereo, and dialing contacts easily without prior voice training.

Strike is the leading Australian and New Zealand provider of Parrot Bluetooth car kits, Scala Rider motorcycle bluetooth headsets, iphone accessories, antennas, cases, patch leads and so much more. Our reputation is for providing a comprehensive range of hands free Bluetooth car kits and consumer electronic technology.